AliousA tough period at a club doesn’t necessarily define a player’s true quality, and Leeds United, currently leading the Championship under Daniel Farke, are well aware of this.
Rasmus Kristensen has become a fan favourite at Frankfurt after departing Elland Road on loan, Robin Koch fought his way back into the German national team after returning to the Bundesliga, and even though Matuesz Bogusz didn’t quite make the impact expected at Leeds, he ended 2024 with a remarkable 20 goals and 11 assists at Los Angeles FC.
This brings us to Burnley’s Mike Tresor Ndayishimiye, a player reportedly attracting Leeds’ interest despite his challenging time at Turf Moor.
Although it’s understandable for fans to be wary of a player who’s struggled in the Championship, these concerns might be misguided.
Tresor, who arrived at Burnley for £16 million from Genk, has only started three league games, without contributing a goal or assist. While Burnley’s chairman has confirmed that Tresor is fit and training, he has largely been absent from Scott Parker’s plans.
So why would Leeds consider pursuing a player who hasn’t even been included in Burnley’s matchday squad?
The answer may lie in the fact that sometimes a player just doesn’t click with a particular club. Tresor has undeniable talent, despite his lack of impact in England so far.
He earned two caps for Belgium in 2023 and was the top assist provider in European football during the 2022/23 season with an impressive 24 assists. Even the likes of Lionel Messi, Bruno Fernandes, and Kevin de Bruyne couldn’t match his assist tally that season.
Tresor’s exceptional technique is one of the key reasons why Burnley spent £16 million on him. Known for his knuckleball striking technique, Tresor is reminiscent of Cristiano Ronaldo in his ability to hit the ball hard while making it drop at the right moment.
This unique skill has been honed through consistent hard work in training, according to his former coach Michel Ribeiro.
In addition to his ball-striking ability, Tresor is an agile player who excels in tight spaces, creating quick one-two combinations and showcasing impressive vision.
His manager at Genk, Wouter Vrancken, praised his “wonderful vision” and ability to link up play with teammates.
If Leeds do manage to bring Tresor to Elland Road, it could take some time to restore his confidence after his struggles at Burnley. However, given Farke’s track record of revitalizing players like Brenden Aaronson and Manor Solomon, Tresor could soon become another weapon in Leeds’ already potent attacking arsenal.
Alious
